Rangers Vs. Bruins Recap: Marian Gaborik's Hat Trick Lifts Rangers Over Bruins In Overtime

The New York Rangers came away with their first victory of the season with Marian Gaborik stealing the show with a hat trick. The Rangers blew a 2-0 lead late midway through the second period, but with some magic from Gaborik, came away with an overtime victory.

After dropping two of their first games with very lackluster performances, the New York Rangers made their presence known early in this game. They got back to the style of hockey that made them so successful last year, grinding it out below the goal line, and getting the defensemen involved in the play. Just four minutes into the first period Marian Gaborik buried goal from the right side of net, in close on Tuuka Rask. This play was as beautiful as it gets. Brad Richards made a great play to chip the puck ahead to Rick Nash who found Gaborik on the post with a nasty saucer pass over the sprawling defenseman.

Just two minutes later, Gaborik came away with his second goal of the evening on a tip in at the top of Rask's crease. Del Zotto realized Gaborik was set up in front of the net and ripped a shot on net. Gaborik was able to get a piece of the shot and the puck just flipped over the goal line. Just like that it was 2-0 Rangers, and not to mention, the Rangers team we saw all of last season was finally back.

Overall a solid twenty minutes from the Rangers, and it was about time. Just 18 seconds into the second period, Marc Staal took a slashing penalty which wound up saving a goal, and sent the Bruins to a power play early in the second. Brad Marchand would eventually redirect home a point shot from Dougie Hamilton to cut the Rangers lead to 2-1. The Rangers began to fall apart a bit in the second period, where they were trapped in their zone for several minutes at a time. Milan Lucic would eventually make them pay the price as he banged home a rebound after three attempts in front of Henrik Lundqvist. And just like that, we had ourselves a completely new game.

But wait, not so fast. A minute after Lucic banged home the tying goal, Taylor Pyatt banged home a rebound of his own while falling, and the Rangers regained a one goal lead. Speaking of Taylor Pyatt, this guy has been something else for the Rangers ever since the season start. His style of the play fits the Rangers play style to a tee, and he battles until he can't no more. Props to Pyatt, he's in a perfect position to succeed here in New York.

With about four minutes remaining in regulation, Nathan Horton beat Lundqvist through the five hole, which tied up the game at 3-3. It's definitely one Hank would love to have back, but part of blame should definitely put on the Rangers defense. They began to get trapped in their zone once again, which eventually lead to the goal by Horton. Off to overtime we went and the Rangers registered at least a point in the standings.

It didn't take long to register the second point either, as Marian Gaborik busted in on a breakaway just 27 seconds into overtime and buried it to seal the victory. Oh yeah, it was also Gaborik's hat trick to make it even better. Gaborik was solid all game long and was getting the right looks. He made the most of his chances and was a major threat on offense tonight for the boys in blue.

You know who was also a threat tonight? Rick Nash and Marc Staal. Both of these guys had solid games in their respective ends of the rink. Nash a few moves tonight that just left you staring in complete shock. This guy is the absolute real deal, every time the puck touches his stick, there is a chance it ends up in the back of the net. He's that good. Marc Staal also had a solid outing tonight as he played wonderful in his own end. After missing most of last year with a concussion and taking time to ease back to his potential, he was spectacular tonight. He played solid along the boards and made some great outlet passes out of his own end.

This was just the type of win the Rangers needed to get them back on the right track. They have the first two points under their belt as they head into Philadelphia tomorrow night for a battle with the Flyers. Hopefully they will be able to carry over momentum tomorrow against an injury depleted Flyers team.

For now, I'm just going to leave this beauty right here for a bit.